Greetings from the Area 2 Board, As we approach one of the busiest times of the year, please take a moment to read through the Area 2 newsletter. This issue of Twice Tolled Tales contains information about the upcoming Area 2 Festival to be held at the University of Scranton Campus in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The regular Festival will be held from Saturday to Tuesday, June 27 – June 30; Young Ringers portion of the festival will be held after Festival: Tuesday to Thursday, June 30 – July 2, 2015. Registration materials for Festival and Young Ringers will be mailed to all members after the first of the year. These materials will also be available on the Area 2 website in January: http://area2.handbellmusicians.org. Speaking of the Area 2 website, you are invited to list your events on the website by going to the home page and clicking on “post your event” lower left hand side. Fill out the form and we will be happy to post your next concert or workshop. “Like” us on facebook, ask your fellow ringers and directors a question, or make a comment. Find us on facebook as “Handbell Musicians of America Area 2”. Also on our Facebook page is a very special friend named “Iggy”. Iggy is the University of Scranton’s mascot, also known as the Royal’s grey wolf. Iggy will be visiting parts of Area 2 leading up to the festival event and joined by several of his friends who will be made by our communications coordinator Diane Dick. Keep checking our Facebook page to meet Iggy’s friends. They will be available at the Festival to help raise funds for Area 2’s chime project in Romania. Because you are a member of Area 2, Handbell Musicians of America, so are all of your ringers. PLEASE FORWARD THIS ISSUE OF Twice Tolled Tales TO YOUR RINGERS. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! Happy Ringing! Susan Guse Susan Guse Susan Guse, Area 2 Chair From the Chair . . . From the Chair . . . From the Chair . . . Area 2 Twice Tolled Tales TWICE TOLLED TALES November 2014
Transcript
Greetings from the Area 2 Board, As we approach one of the busiest times of the year, please take a moment to read through the Area 2 newsletter. This issue of Twice Tolled Tales contains information about the upcoming Area 2 Festival to be held at the University of Scranton Campus in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The regular Festival will be held from Saturday to Tuesday, June 27 – June 30; Young Ringers portion of the festival will be held after Festival: Tuesday to Thursday, June 30 – July 2, 2015. Registration materials for Festival and Young Ringers will be mailed to all members after the first of the year. These materials will also be available on the Area 2 website in January: http://area2.handbellmusicians.org. Speaking of the Area 2 website, you are invited to list your events on the website by going to the home page and clicking on “post your event” lower left hand side. Fill out the form and we will be happy to post your next concert or workshop. “Like” us on facebook, ask your fellow ringers and directors a question, or make a comment. Find us on facebook as “Handbell Musicians of America Area 2”. Also on our Facebook page is a very special friend named “Iggy”. Iggy is the University of Scranton’s mascot, also known as the Royal’s grey wolf. Iggy will be visiting parts of Area 2 leading up to the festival event and joined by several of his friends who will be made by our communications coordinator Diane Dick. Keep checking our Facebook page to meet Iggy’s friends. They will be available at the Festival to help raise funds for Area 2’s chime project in Romania. Because you are a member of Area 2, Handbell Musicians of America, so are all of your ringers. PLEASE FORWARD THIS ISSUE OF Twice Tolled Tales TO YOUR RINGERS. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Happy Ringing!
Susan GuseSusan Guse Susan Guse, Area 2 Chair
From the Chair . . .From the Chair . . .From the Chair . . . A
Romania Project Update submitted by Rich Pinkerton
Chimes have been ringing in Romania since 2001 thanks to a generous gift from Area 2, Malmark, Schulmerich, Volkwein and Jeffers. The chimes are in the town of Brad, located in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania (the northwest portion of the country). Area 2 continues to support the program financially and with visits to these wonderful ringers. Who are these wonderful ringers? The original group was made up of orphans from Casa Emanuel in Criscior (built by the International Children’s Aid Foundation – ICAF). Later, ringers were added from the high school in nearby Brad (7 km), creating a combined group of students which continues to ring regularly. This past August and September I had the opportunity to visit with the ringers, to meet and play with children from the orphanage, and to meet their director and learn more about the musical happenings in Brad and Criscior. Two groups of ringers are currently practicing in the Christian Center in Brad. Beginning ringers are learning the rudiments of musical notation and proper ringing of handchimes. The more advanced group is working on level 2 music (occasionally level 3) and is busy preparing for concerts in the area. A third group is now being formed which will target members of the community who will be staying for more than the four years of high school. The director, Cip (pronounced Chip), is an energetic and enthusiastic young man, as well as an outstanding teacher. He earned his Master’s Degree in choral and orchestral conducting and is now the music teacher in the high school in Brad. He has neither a chorus nor an orchestra, but the handchimes have flourished under his guidance. As we look to the future of our Romania Project, we hope to continue supporting the basic needs of the ringers, we hope to add to their music library, and we would like to introduce handbells into the program. ** The next mission trip to Criscior will be July 10-19, 2015 and if anyone from Area 2 is interested in going, please contact Rich Pinkerton or Marilyn Shenenberger. The program is strong, the leadership is outstanding, and these ensembles make a musical FAMILY for students in the orphanage! Based upon what I observed while visiting, the Area 2 investment of providing chimes for this program has certainly proven to be rewarding.
For more information on ICAF: http://icafkids.org/home 2012 Mission Trip: http://icafkids.org/latest_news 2006 Mission Trip: http://www.bhccml.com/web_docs/2006_01.pdf
** And if you know of a used 3 octave set of handbells that is available, please contact Rich Pinkerton at [email protected] or Marilyn Shenenberger at [email protected] (or text her at: 609-502-3642).
Jennifer MacDonald Gloucester County Christian Sch Seward, NJ 08080
Gillian Erlenborn Martinsville, NJ 08836
New York
Idit Shechtman Ensemble Inbalim
Jennifer Murray
Mastic, NY 11950
Catherine King Ballston Spat U. Methodist Church
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Nathalie Alcime Petra Brown Jessica Bryant Luis Diaz Kaitlin Fullop Rachel Leal Leila Pierre Benjamin Riley Alyssa Rivera Nelson Silva Yi-Ju Su Sarah Bacote Nyack College
Nyack, NY 10960
Laura Russell
Christ Episcopal Church
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Michael Shamrock Emmanuel U. Methodist Church
Lockport, NY 14094
Alex Whitaker Twelve Corners Presbyterian Ch Rochester, NY 14618
Ontario
Pennsylvania
Patrice Kidd
Moravian Academy
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Barbara Leauber Beaver Memorial U Methodist Ch
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Richard Frey
New Oxford, PA 17350
Kermit Junkert
Hatfield, PA 19440
New MembersNew MembersNew Members
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New Benefits Coming –
from Jon Snyder, the Regional Membership Coordinator Often times, members decide to leave the Guild because they feel they are not getting enough “value” for their membership. We at Handbell Musicians of America have heard these cries, and have developed two new ways for handbell musicians (ringers, directors, composers, editors, etc.) to connect with one another and learn more about our art.
One of the Guild’s greatest assets is our inclusive community. When we are together, there are no barriers between musicians, composers, clinicians and providers from the handbell industry. Everyone is accessible and there is abundant sharing of information and resources. With the internet as a resource, this connection can now spread around the world.
Launching in January 2015, there will be one of two monthly options: Member-Notes or Member-
Chats. In Member-Notes, you will receive a topical newsletter that offers detailed information on working with
children and youth, or 800 ways four-in-hand is done around the world, and even how to get permission to arrange popular music. These Member-Notes will have a feature article by a handbell expert and links to additional resources that will assist you in your quest to perfect your knowledge and skills. The links will consist of everything from videos, to articles, to online sites.
The first Member-Notes will be by Nick Hanson – an entire interactive experience into working with
youth. We are all excited to see what Nick brings to the table in this first edition of Member-Notes. Nick Hanson has been serving as the director of handbell ensembles at the Potomac School in McLean, Virginia, for the past six years, and as the handbell director at Bush Hill Presbyterian Church for the past four years. At Potomac, Nick’s duties include teaching instrumental music curriculum to 5th–12th-grade students who participate in any of the school’s four handbell ensembles, and he teaches private handbell lessons to interested students. His directing duties at Bush Hill currently involve a teen/adult ensemble and also a 4th–6th grade handbell ensemble. The other opportunity is Member-Chats – a direct line to a handbell celebrity. Every other month, we will host a live chat with a new personality from within our talented ranks. Everyone will have an opportunity to submit questions in advance. Many of you will be able to tune in live and participate. Even if you are not able to attend live, the recordings will be available online in the Members Resource Center. Barbara Brocker will be the first celebrity to step into the light with Member-Chats. Barbara has developed the art of the bell tree as a solo instrument and has published over 20 bell tree arrangements. For the last fifteen years, she has been promoting the use of bell trees through teaching and performing at local, regional, national and international festivals. She will be fielding your questions about bell trees, four-in-hand technique, solo ringing, and anything else that you may want to ask. Keep your eyes open for a way to submit your questions ahead of time and possibly have them asked in the chat! These will both be available in early 2015 – check your inboxes early and often to be the first to access these new opportunities. Best of all – they are both included in your membership! No extra costs, no need to plan ahead – just read, enjoy, and participate!
Membership! It’s Important!
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WORKSHOPS - Rich Pinkerton, Chair
Do you have a new handbell choir? New ringers who need a jump start on all aspects of ringing? Seasoned ringers who could use a refresher course? Or, perhaps you are new to directing a bell choir, and would like a clinician to come and work with you. Area 2 is eager to help you with your needs and will subsidize some of the costs for a clinician through a generous grant. The cost of a 3 hour workshop for your choir would not exceed $100, less than $10 per ringer! Those with larger facilities might consider hosting a workshop focused on Techniques, Skill Building, Reading Sessions for new music and/or old favorites, or a custom session tailored to the attendees. Area 2 has an abun-dance of highly skilled handbell musicians who generously share their knowledge. Take advantage of them! Look at some of our offerings and please contact me by email: [email protected] so that we can discuss your needs and find a time for you and a clinician to do your workshop. Orientation Workshop: A free ½ day (3 hour) workshop within the first year of a church or school purchasing bellsfor the first time. Mentoring Workshop: Member choirs may request a clinician to brush up on their skills. The church or school pays a portion of the clinician’s fee. Workshops: A member hosts a workshop which is open to other ringers from the area. Each participant pays a fee to attend the workshop. It is up to you how you can use this service provided by your Area 2 Board. Use your imagination and
suggest something we haven’t tried before! We welcome your suggestions and your participation!
Next TTT deadline is February 15February 15February 15, 2015
TWICE TOLLED TALES is published four times per year for the membership of AGEHR Area 2. Publication dates for 2014 are February, June, September and November. The deadline for articles and photos is the fifteenth day of the month prior to the publication date; these will be included as space permits. It is preferred that articles be sent in the format of Microsoft Office 2003 (or later) Publisher as an email attachment. Articles may also be sent in MS Word format (2003 or later) or in hard copy form, typewritten. Photos are always welcome. All information for publication and advertisements should be sent to the editor with TTT newsletter in the subject area:
Kathie Bittenbender [email protected] 292 Founders Way 717-697-6257 Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
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PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS ISSUE TO YOUR RINGERS.
July 7-10, 2011 Area II Festival Conference
Kutztown University Kutztown, PA
Debbie Rice, Director Arnold Sherman, Masterclass
April 2, 2011 Nittany Valley Handbell Festival
State College, PA
David Harris, Director
Contact: Gail Ritchey 814-234-1655
July 5-7, 2011 Area II Young Ringers Festival
Kutztown University Kutztown, PA
Ron Bellamy, Director
Check updates at the area website: www.area2agehr.org
April 9, 2011 Western PA Handbell Festival
Wilson Christian Academy West Mifflin, PA
Howard Moser, Director
Contact: Kathy Hayes 734-235-0202
May 14, 2011 Challenge Ring
Webster Presbyterian Church Webster, NY
Ron Bellamy, Director
Contact: Betsy Barr 315-524-3816
April 30, 2011 Hudson Valley Handbell Festival
Nyack, NY
Deborah Rice, Director
Contact: Rex Holden 631-567-8913
Check updates at the area website: www.area2.handbellmusicians.org - Events
AGEHR Area 2 BELLETIN BOARD
Saturday, April 18, 2015
15th Annual Western PA Handbell Festival David Weck, Director
